Outdoors things to do in Santa Cruz

We rank 15 outdoor things to do in Santa Cruz, United States. The highest scoring is Alpaca Walking Adventure in Scenic Carmel Valley with an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, and prices across the category start at $35 per person. Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

Ranked experiences
15
In the 90+ Club
0
Available today
15
From
$35

Outdoors in Santa Cruz compared

Top 10 outdoor things to do in Santa Cruz by Outty Ranking, price, duration and traveler rating
ExperienceOutty RankingFromDurationRating
Alpaca Walking Adventure in Scenic Carmel Valley80$852.3h5/5 (42)
Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour77$1102h5/5 (44)
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot67$2201h5/5 (28)
Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups63$1102h4.8/5 (6)
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop60$451.5h5/5 (1)
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour60$451.5h5/5 (1)
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour58$1292.5h4.3/5 (4)
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz58$352h0/5 (0)
Ecological Mushroom Foraging Workshop58$954h0/5 (0)
Santa Cruz Ice Cream Tour 4 Stops Samples Full Scoops56$802h0/5 (0)

Every outdoors experience we rank in Santa Cruz

Outdoors in Santa Cruz: common questions

What are the best outdoors things to do in Santa Cruz?
Alpaca Walking Adventure in Scenic Carmel Valley is the highest ranked, with an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100 from 42 traveler reviews. Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour, Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot, Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups follow close behind. We rank 15 outdoors experiences in Santa Cruz in total.
How much do outdoors activities in Santa Cruz cost?
Expect around $210 per person on average. The cheapest we rank is Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz from $35, and prices climb for small-group departures, skip-the-line access and evening slots.
Can I book outdoors activities in Santa Cruz for today?
Yes. 15 of the 15 top-ranked outdoors experiences we track in Santa Cruz currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book in the morning where you can.
How does Outty rank outdoors experiences in Santa Cruz?
Every experience gets an Outty Ranking from 0 to 100 built from traveler sentiment, review depth, recent booking momentum, value against comparable outdoors options in Santa Cruz, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Anything scoring 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz?
Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Santa Cruz, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities.

Browse things to do in Santa Cruz by type

Last Minute 22Culture & History 12Food & Drink 4Nightlife 3Most Popular 2Family Friendly 1

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